FORD FORD TRUCK · model year

1997 FORD FORD TRUCK

47 NHTSA complaints, 2 crash reports for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 1997FORDFORD TRUCK carries 47 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 2 crashes, 4 fires, 6 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 1997 FORD TRUCK is tires with 8 filings, followed by engine and engine cooling:engine:gasoline (3) and tires:tread/belt (2). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability.

NHTSA currently has 1 investigation file overlapping the 1997 FORD TRUCK. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

47
Complaints
2
Crashes
4
Fires
6
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

47 filings

Crashes Reported

2 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
TIRES8
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE3
TIRES:TREAD/BELT2
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER2
STRUCTURE2
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE2
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING2
SUSPENSION:FRONT1
INTERIOR LIGHTING1
STEERING:LINKAGES1
STEERING:LINKAGES:ARM:IDLER AND ATTACHMENT1
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC1
WHEELS:HUB1
WHEELS:LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS/STUDS1

Recent Complaints

20100119ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

I WAS GOING DOWN THE ROAD AROUND 55 MPH AND HAD A SUDDEN LOOSE OF POWER DUE TO A SPARK PLUG BLOWING OUT OF THE ENGINE AND BREAKING A COIL PACK . THIS IS A DANGEROUS PROBLEM AND SEEMS TO BE A COMMON ONE WITH FORD F150 5.4 LITER TRITON ENGINES FORD SHOULD HAVE A RECALL ON THIS. *TR

Mileage: 195,000

20070821SUSPENSION

THERE WAS A RECALL ON MY 1997 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER. I HAVE CALLED THE DEALERSHIP SEVERAL TIMES AND TOLD THAT THE PART HAD TO BE ORDERED AND THEY WOULD CALL ME. THIS HAS BEEN ONGOING FOR OVER 7 MONTHS. *TR

20051004FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING

MY CAR BURN BY IT SELF, IT WAS PARKED IN DRIVEWAY I HAVE TALK TO THE DEALER MANY TIMES AND THEY DO NOT WANT TO FIXED. *NM

Mileage: 90,000

20050905STRUCTURE

SPEEDOMETER IN MY 1997 EXPEDITION WAS NOT WORKING CAUSING THE TRANSMISSION NOT TO SHIFT DURING INCLEMENT WEATHER BECAUSE OF A LEAK IN THE BASE OF THE WINDSHIELD. THIS WAS DUE TO DEFECTIVE SEAL AROUND THE WINDSHIELD. ALSO AFFECTED WERE THE WIPERS AND WINDOWS, DOOR LOCKS AND RUNNING BOARD LIGHTS. THE FUSE BOX AND MODULE HAD TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE OF THIS LEAK. THIS WORK FOR TWO SERVICE CALLS COST ME $781.27. THE FORD DEALERSHIP THAT I TOOK MY TRUCK TO FOR THE REPAIRS ALSO WANTED TO CHARGE ME FOR INSTALLING A NEW WINDSHIELD AFTER THE FIRST TRY TO REPAIR THE SEAL DID NOT WORK. I REFUSED TO PAY FOR A NEW WINDSHIELD. THEY TOLD ME THEY REPLACED THE WINDSHIELD FOR ME AT NO COST. *JB

Mileage: 88,717

20050325LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH

SLIDING SIDE DOOR ON FORD AEROSTAR POPS OPEN EVEN WHEN LOCKED. THIS HAPPENS WHILE DRIVING AND ENCOUNTERING A MILD BUMP IN THE ROAD. OVER TIME DOOR NO LONGER LATCHES CLOSED WITHOUT MANUALLY PUSHING SHUT AFTER ATTEMPT OF SLIDING CLOSED.*AK

20041220STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:PUMP

SEVERAL MONTHS PRIOR TO THE POWER STEERING PUMO FAILING IT WAS TOOKEN TO SEVERAL SHOPS WHO STATE THAT THEY DID NOT HEAR THE PROBLEM. OUD WHINING WHEN TURNING THE VEHICLE. TEMPERTURES DROPED TO 4 DEGREES IN THE POWER STEERING COMPLETELY WENT OUT ON THE VEHICLE. TOOK IT TO THE SHOP IN THEY SAY THAT THERE ARE PLENTY OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE 1997 FORD WINDSTAR POWERSTEERING PUMP GOING OUT!*AK

20030331CrashUNKNOWN OR OTHER

THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING ON A LONG LEFT CORNER WHEN THE FRONT WHEELS OF THE TRACTOR SLID. THE DRIVER LOSS CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND STRUCK A TREE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE (1997 FORD AT9513). *MR *SCC *NLM

20020905ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

THIS IS THE SECOND ENGINE FAILURE IN A YEAR AND A HALF. FIRST ENGINE WENT AT 34000. THE SECOND ENGINE WENT AT 74. DEALER SAYS ENGINE IS OUT OF WARRENTY AND IT;S MY PROBLEM. THE VAN IS MAINTAINED BY THE DEALER EVERY 3000 MILES. I NEED TO KNOW IF THERE ARE KNOWN PROBLEMS WITH THIS ENGINE THAT THE DEALER IS NOT INFORMING ME OF. I NEED TO KNOW IF THE OIL PUMP FOR THIS ENGINE IS DEFECTIVE. I NEED TO KNOW IF FORD IS RESPONCIABLE FOR AN EGINE THAT BRAKES EVERY 35000 MILES. HAS ANYONE ELSE HAD THIS PROPLEM.*AK

20020514FireENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING A FORD F-37 U-HAUL STRAIGHT TRUCK PULLING A TRAILER. WHEN HE NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE TRUCK HE PULLED OVER AND TRIED TO PUT IT OUT WITH FIRE EXTINGUISHER BUT HE COULD NOT. THE VEHICLE BURNT OUT RESULTING IN PROPERTY DAMAGE TO THE CONSUMER, THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE WAS AN ENGINE OIL LEAK IN WHICH THE OIL LEAKED ONTO THE EXHAUST (OHIO TRAFFIC REPORT#10-91-594). *YH

20020125FireENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING A FORD F-37 U-HAUL STRAIGHT TRUCK PULLING A TRAILER. WHEN HE NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE TRUCK HE PULLED OVER AND TRIED TO PUT IT OUT WITH FIRE EXTINGUISHER BUT HE COULD NOT. THE VEHICLE BURNT OUT RESULTING IN PROPERTY DAMAGE TO THE CONSUMER, THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE WAS AN ENGINE OIL LEAK IN WHICH THE OIL LEAKED ONTO THE EXHAUST (OHIO TRAFFIC REPORT#10-91-594). *YH

20010912TIRES

WHILE DRIVING THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR TIRE BLEWOUT WITHOUT WARNING (GOODYEAR WRANGLER HT XL P235/75R15). NLM

20010809TIRES

WHILE TRAVELING ON THE MASS. TPKE., AT 60 MPH, I EXPERIENCED A VERY LOUD EXPLOSIVE TYPE SOUND FROM THE REAR OF THE MOTORHOME. I PULLED OVER TO THE SHOULDER AND DETERMINED THAT THE INSIDE RIGHT REAR TIRE HAD SEPARATED, CAUSING EXTREME DAMAGE TO THE MOTORHOME STORAGE COMPARTMENT JUST REAR OF THE AXLE. I CONTACTED ONSTAR WHO THEN NOTIFIED THE STATE POLICE AND HWY. AUTH. THEY DID ARRIVE BUT WERE UNABLE TO STAY AND HELP AS THERE WAS A MASSIVE ACCIDENT ELSEWHERE ON THE TPKE. I HAVE CONTACTED BOTH FIRESTONE AND MY INSURANCE CO., AND BOTH ARE SENDING COMPLAINT FORMS TO BE COMPLETED. I AM VERY CONCERNED ABOUT OUR SAFETY AS I STILL HAVE SIX MORE OF THESE TIRES ON MY VEHICLE. (DOT NUMBER: URB0998055 TIRESIZE: LT22575R16)

20010626ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

IDLER PULLY BROKE AND FLEW OFF GOING DOWN THE ROAD AT 65MPH.THE EXTENDED WARRANTY DOES NOT COVER THAT CERTAIN PULLY BUT COVERS THE OTHERS,MUCH TO MY SURPRISE. NOW 7 MONTHS LATER THE TENSION PULLY BREAKS,NOW THAT IS A COVERED ITEM WITH THE EXTENDED WARRANTY BUT NOW MY TRUCK IS OVER THE MILEAGE . I'D LIKE TO KNOW IF THERE HAS BEEN OTHERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM BESIDES MYSELF AND I HAVE TWO FRIENDS THAT HAVE HAD PULLEY PROBLEMS. PLEASE INFORM ME AS TO WHOM I MAY BE IN CONTACT WITH TO FIND OUT IF THERE WAS A RECALL ON THESE PULLEYS.,*AK

20010424TIRES

WE RENTED A 15 FOOT RYDER TRUCK FROM SARASOTA, FL TO PERU, ILLINOIS IN FEB. 2001 & THE TRUCK WAS A NIGHTMARE. FIRST OF ALL, WHEN MY HUSBAND WENT TO PICK THE TRUCK UP HE NOTICED THE RIGHT REAR TIRE WAS BALD AND THE SALESMAN THERE SAID - DON'T WORRY ABOUT IT - THEY'LL FIX IT IN PERU" 1300 MILES AWAY!!! 2ND - THE TAILLIGHTS ON THE TRUCK DIDN'T WORK SO WE HAD TO DRIVE AT NIGHT WITH THE EMERGENCY FLASHERS ON & 3RD THE TRUCK HAS A MAJOR SUSPENSION PROBLEM. WE HAD IT PACKED CORRECTLY - HEAVY APPLIANCES UP FRONT AND WE COUNTER BALANCED A HEAVY ITEM ON ONE SIDE WITH ANOTHER HEAVY ITEM ON THE OTHER SIDE. WHEN WE WOULD REACH 55 MPH (SOMETIMES EVEN SLOWER DEPENDING ON ROAD CONDITIONS) THE BED OT THE TRUCK WOULD START TO ROCK CAUSING THE TRUCK TO ALMOST FLIP OVER SEVERAL TIMES. WE HAD SOMEONE IN FRONT OF THE TRUCK AND MY MOTHER & I WERE IN THE BACK OF THE TRUCK SO WE SAW IT FROM BOTH DIRECTIONS. THE FRONT TIRES WERE LIFTING OFF THE GROUND, THAT'S HOW BAD THE TRUCK WAS ROCKING. MY HUSBAND

20010424EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS

WE RENTED A 15 FOOT RYDER TRUCK FROM SARASOTA, FL TO PERU, ILLINOIS IN FEB. 2001 & THE TRUCK WAS A NIGHTMARE. FIRST OF ALL, WHEN MY HUSBAND WENT TO PICK THE TRUCK UP HE NOTICED THE RIGHT REAR TIRE WAS BALD AND THE SALESMAN THERE SAID - DON'T WORRY ABOUT IT - THEY'LL FIX IT IN PERU" 1300 MILES AWAY!!! 2ND - THE TAILLIGHTS ON THE TRUCK DIDN'T WORK SO WE HAD TO DRIVE AT NIGHT WITH THE EMERGENCY FLASHERS ON & 3RD THE TRUCK HAS A MAJOR SUSPENSION PROBLEM. WE HAD IT PACKED CORRECTLY - HEAVY APPLIANCES UP FRONT AND WE COUNTER BALANCED A HEAVY ITEM ON ONE SIDE WITH ANOTHER HEAVY ITEM ON THE OTHER SIDE. WHEN WE WOULD REACH 55 MPH (SOMETIMES EVEN SLOWER DEPENDING ON ROAD CONDITIONS) THE BED OT THE TRUCK WOULD START TO ROCK CAUSING THE TRUCK TO ALMOST FLIP OVER SEVERAL TIMES. WE HAD SOMEONE IN FRONT OF THE TRUCK AND MY MOTHER & I WERE IN THE BACK OF THE TRUCK SO WE SAW IT FROM BOTH DIRECTIONS. THE FRONT TIRES WERE LIFTING OFF THE GROUND, THAT'S HOW BAD THE TRUCK WAS ROCKING. MY HUSBAND

20010424EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HAZARD FLASHING WARNING LIGHTS:UNIT

WE RENTED A 15 FOOT RYDER TRUCK FROM SARASOTA, FL TO PERU, ILLINOIS IN FEB. 2001 & THE TRUCK WAS A NIGHTMARE. FIRST OF ALL, WHEN MY HUSBAND WENT TO PICK THE TRUCK UP HE NOTICED THE RIGHT REAR TIRE WAS BALD AND THE SALESMAN THERE SAID - DON'T WORRY ABOUT IT - THEY'LL FIX IT IN PERU" 1300 MILES AWAY!!! 2ND - THE TAILLIGHTS ON THE TRUCK DIDN'T WORK SO WE HAD TO DRIVE AT NIGHT WITH THE EMERGENCY FLASHERS ON & 3RD THE TRUCK HAS A MAJOR SUSPENSION PROBLEM. WE HAD IT PACKED CORRECTLY - HEAVY APPLIANCES UP FRONT AND WE COUNTER BALANCED A HEAVY ITEM ON ONE SIDE WITH ANOTHER HEAVY ITEM ON THE OTHER SIDE. WHEN WE WOULD REACH 55 MPH (SOMETIMES EVEN SLOWER DEPENDING ON ROAD CONDITIONS) THE BED OT THE TRUCK WOULD START TO ROCK CAUSING THE TRUCK TO ALMOST FLIP OVER SEVERAL TIMES. WE HAD SOMEONE IN FRONT OF THE TRUCK AND MY MOTHER & I WERE IN THE BACK OF THE TRUCK SO WE SAW IT FROM BOTH DIRECTIONS. THE FRONT TIRES WERE LIFTING OFF THE GROUND, THAT'S HOW BAD THE TRUCK WAS ROCKING. MY HUSBAND

20010313ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:DIESEL

FORD MECHANIC DISCRIBE PROBLEM: AS H.C.P. HITCHING AND CAN NOT CORRECT PROBLEM. DIESEL CONSUMPTION HAS INCREASED AGREAT DEAL WENT FROM 20MPG TO 8MPG. ALSO HAVE REPLACED THE WATER PUMP SEVEN TIMES. WAS CHARGED $100.00 ONE TIME, JAN. 2001 LAST TIME WATER PUMP WAS CHANGED. *AK

20010117LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH

MY HOOD POPPED OPEN GOING 65 MPH ON FREEWAY. IT CAME BACK ON THE WINDSHIELD. I WAS ABLE TO STEER ONTO THE SIDE.*AK

20001219TIRES

ATTORNEY IS WRITTING IN TO REPORT AN ACCIDENT DUE TO THE (WORKHORSE LT245/75R16 TIRE) WHICH EXPERIENCED FAILURE RESULTING IN COLLISION IN WHICH FOUR INJURIES OCCURRED, THE VAN WAS USED AS A SCHOOL BUS WITH 11 TOTAL OCCUPANTS 8 CHILDREN AND THREE ADULTS. *MJS

20001120POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

TRANSMISSION SLIPPING FAILURE TO PULL AT SPEEDS 45 TO 50 MPH

Compare 1997FORDFORD TRUCK to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 1997 FORD FORD TRUCK have?
The 1997 FORD FORD TRUCK has 47 NHTSA complaints, 2 crashes, 4 fires, 6 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 1997 FORD FORD TRUCK?
The most-complained component for the 1997 FORD FORD TRUCK is TIRES with 8 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE and TIRES:TREAD/BELT.
Is the 1997 FORD FORD TRUCK safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.